Koshi, Gandak, Bagmati, Mahananda, Ganga and Adhwara flowing above danger mark at several places; Farmers in the state who were waiting for rains are now witnessing their crops being destroyed
A child stands in front of her flooded house. Photo: Mohd Imran Khan A flood-like situation in low-lying areas of north Bihar districts has forced hundreds of families to flee in search of safer locations. With major rivers and their tributaries in spate, thousands are in fear of floodwater entering their houses.
Floodwater expanded its reach in low-lying areas and inundated dozens of villages on August 10-11, 2023, after heavy rains lashed these districts as well as the rivers’ catchment areas in neighbouring Nepal early this week.
While the Koshi, Gandak, Bagmati, Mahananda, Ganga and Adhwara are flowing above the danger mark at several places, they are close to the safe limits in some other regions, according to Bihar Water Resources Department.
Rising water levels and heavy rains will likely worsen the flood situation in Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura districts. The situation is grim in some pockets of East Champaran, West Champaran, Katihar, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Sitamarhi, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, Supaul and Saharsa districts, said the official.
Also read: North India Deluge 2023: Heavy rains in Nepal cause erosion downstream in Bihar; hundreds displaced
Ground-level staff in the districts are on alert for rising water levels and have been directed to take preventive measures to minimise damage. “We have stepped up vigil on embankments of rivers and instructed concerned officials to be on high alert in view of increasing pressure,” a WRD officer said.
The district administrations in East and West Champaran appealed to those living in low-lying areas near Gandak to move to safer places following the heavy water discharge from the Valmikinagar barrage.
Similarly, local administration alerted people of the threat of increasing water discharge from the Koshi barrage.
Though farmers expected rains to bring some respite from the prolonged dry spell in the ongoing monsoon, heavy rains proved otherwise. Overflowing rivers and submerged standing paddy and maize fields shattered their hopes of a decent yield.
In Supaul, dozens of villages inside Koshi embankments are marooned; floodwater cut them off and entered houses.
“Flood is here again, it is our fate to fight for survival during and after monsoon. Koshi is creating trouble as usual for those living inside the embankments,” said Jagdish Yadav, a resident of an impacted village.
IMD centre, Patna, has forecasted more heavy rains until August 15, particularly in flood-prone districts of the state.
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